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Port Blair, Oct. 8: The 12th Raising Day of Andaman and Nicobar Command was celebrated today with the traditional Pomp & Fare. In a grand ceremony the various components of the Command held a Ceremonial Parade at the Naval Jetty, Port Blair, which was reviewed by Lieutenant General N C Marwah, AVSM, PVSM, Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command.

The unified nature of the military setup in the Islands has existed since the 1970s. However, it was in the aftermath of the Kargil Operations, that the ANC was raised as the first Unified Command of the Indian armed forces on 8th Oct 2001. Lt Gen NC Marwah, AVSM is presently the Commander-in-Chief, Andaman & Nicobar Command (CINCAN).

Over the past eleven years, the Command has achieved strategic coherence and high level of integrated operational efficiency, (both in joint operations and in core areas of individual services) in this South-eastern frontier of the country. Increased surveillance efforts, welfare measures and promoting the ANI as an important element in India’s future policies, have been the hallmark of ANC’s activities.

Since its inception, the Unified Command described as the Sentinel Post for the East and South has effectively performed its charter of duties encompassing safeguarding the Islands, as well as the nation’s maritime boundaries and air space, search and rescue at sea as well as anti-poaching operations. In addition, the Command has been actively involved in assisting civil authorities for disaster relief ops, welfare activities and improvement of the Islands wherever required.

The ANC in its eleven glorious years of existence had defined itself as India’s Eastern most bastion and has risen from being a vision to an Inspiration; a true representation of seamless jointness between the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. The vision statement of ANC ‘To set a shining example of jointmanship by excelling in all activities’ aptly takes cognizance of its role in the region.   

The ‘12th Raising Day’ began with a ‘Ceremonial Parade’ comprising contingents from all four Components of the Joint Command. On display were the Army BMPs, Ships dressed overall and a flypast by the Chetaks, MI-8s and dornier aircraft. The celebrations also included a Barakhana at Military Station, Birchgunj attended by large number of personnel and their families.